© 2025 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New KCPS Board Members Say Improving Student Outcomes Is Top Priority

Tanesha Ford, left, is the executive director of the Kauffman Scholars program. Kandace Buckner is a teaching coach for the Kansas City Teacher Residency.
Courtesy of Tenesha Ford and Kandace Buckner
Tenesha Ford (left) and Kandace Buckner were elected to the Kansas City Public Schools board in April.

Why Kandace Buckner and Tanesha Ford wanted seats on the Kansas City Public Schools District board and what their goals are for the district.

Buckner and Ford offer their views on charter schools, how well Superintendent Mark Bedell is doing and what barriers are holding the district's students back. Kandace Buckner says she "would love for our district do a better job with improving family engagement. I think our families are a critical voice in the outcomes of our students."

Stay Connected
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.
As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.
No matter what happens in Washington D.C., Kansas City needs KCUR. And KCUR needs you.

Our ability to report local news — accurate, independent and paywall-free — depends on you. Donate now to support fact-based news.